Description
A rich and hearty Homemade Bolognese Sauce made by slow simmering ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and tomatoes with a splash of red wine and milk. Perfect for serving over pasta, in lasagna, or spooned over polenta for a classic Italian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Prepare the base vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant, creating the flavorful base for the sauce.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more to release its aroma without burning.
- Brown the meat: Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon to ensure even cooking and a fine texture.
- Incorporate tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor and develop a rich, hearty taste.
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in the red wine (if using) and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced, enhancing the sauce’s complexity.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, milk, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and the bay leaf. Mix everything to combine well.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick, rich, and flavors meld beautifully. This slow simmering develops the classic Bolognese depth.
- Finish and serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Use the sauce immediately over pasta, in lasagna, or with polenta, or let cool and store for later use.
Notes
- Serve over your favorite pasta, in lasagna, or spooned over creamy polenta for a comforting meal.
- For an even deeper, more developed flavor, simmer the sauce for up to 2 hours while adding a splash of water if it becomes too thick.
- Leftover sauce freezes beautifully and can be thawed for quick meals later.
- If you prefer a leaner sauce, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef and pork.
